Chapter 607 - 433: Things Remain the Same, but People Change
On the forty-ninth day after ascending Dao Court Mountain.
Li Yi mastered the Call Wind Skill, reaching the first level of the Five Qi Realm—an accomplishment emblematic of perfection. With this, he ended his period of monk-like asceticism and decided to descend the mountain, explore Dao Court, and proceed with the second part of his plan: to establish connections with Tri-Floral Realm experts of the End of Dharma Era, collect functioning Dao Artifacts, and prepare for his cross-border return to Earth.
If he were to bring something back, it should naturally be the finest treasures of this world, not a pile of junk like Xu Wen Dao, who returned to the Golden Academy with scraps and treated them as prized possessions.
Accompanied by the cry of Good Wings, the mutant beast spread its wings and soared into the sky.
The trio descended from the three-thousand-zhang-high Dao Court Mountain, landing again in the city below.
Compared to a month ago, the city had not changed much. It was still bustling with activity, filled with merchants and traders, giving off an even heavier impression of earthly smoke and fire. On the contrary, the aura of cultivation had faded further—so much so that it now felt less like a gathering place for cultivators and more like the capital of an earthly dynasty.
The decline of the cultivation era was inevitable; the future of this world would undeniably belong to the realm of mortals.
"More than a month has passed, and there’s quite a difference. Far fewer Daoists are setting up stalls now." Tu Daoist glanced at the unfamiliar vendors lining the road and let out a long sigh.
The number of new, unfamiliar stall owners had risen. Many no longer recognized him, a senior figure; the familiar Daoists of old had vanished. Perhaps they had entered seated meditation and passed away, perhaps they had switched trades, or perhaps, disheartened, they had left Dao Court to seek their fortunes elsewhere.
Previously, when Tu Daoist could often be found tending his stall, the changes were less noticeable. But now, after a sudden prolonged absence, he returned to find everything transformed.
"Taiyi, this old Daoist must go seek out Wu the Taoist and Master Liu first, so I’ll be taking my leave. I only wonder where I might find you next, Taiyi."